Instead, I saw rage.
Because she still believed she could control me.
Without saying another word, I walked toward the exit.
Behind me, voices erupted.
Jessica yelling.
My father shouting.
Guests whispering.
But I kept walking.
Outside the ballroom, the cool air felt different.
Cleaner.
For the first time in my life, I wasn’t trying to earn their approval.
I pulled out my phone.
Marcus answered immediately.
“Emily?”
“It’s time.”
He didn’t ask questions.
